Toy for use with vertical surfaces

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method of interacting with a user is described. The method includes identifying a structure coupled to a base unit, wherein the structure includes a visual identifier. A sound is generated using a speaker of the base unit, wherein the sound is associated with the visual identifier of the structure.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of and claims thebenefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/699,445, filed Oct. 30,2003, entitled “TOY FOR USE WITH VERTICAL SURFACES,” naming Eric ThomasShuler and Jorge Soto as inventors, assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention, and having attorney docket number LEAP-P0191.01,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/505,980, filed Sep. 24, 2003, entitled “Interactive EducationalApparatus For Use With Vertical Surfaces.” Both applications areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a number of educational toys that have been described in theliterature. For example, one such educational toy is described in U.S.Pat. No. 4,986,780. In this patent, a number of blocks with indicia aredescribed. Each block includes a voice synthesizer and speaker so thatwhen a child touches a block, the name of the letter on the blocksounds.

While a toy such as the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,780 may besuitable for some purposes, a number of improvements could be made. Achild's toys are often located in the child's bedroom or playroom in adwelling, while the child's caregiver is working in the kitchen. Thekitchen is typically the most frequented part of a dwelling. The kitchenis where food is prepared, the family eats its meals, snacks are eaten,and dishes are washed. If the child is a toddler, a caregiver will oftenwant the child to be in the same room as the caregiver so that the childcan be supervised. Thus, if the child is in the kitchen with thecaregiver, the child will often be without his or her toys. Thecaregiver may not want the child to bring toys into the kitchen, sincethis may produce clutter the kitchen. Second, each block in theabove-described U.S. patent includes a speech chip and other circuitry.Providing a speech chip in each block can be quite costly and could beimpractical for children's toys.

In addition to the educational toys described above, there are a numberof commercially available refrigerator magnets that have specializedindicia such as letters. However, such refrigerator magnets are notinteractive or fun and are essentially no better than pictures ofnumbers or letters that might be depicted on a piece of paper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it would be useful to provide for an educational toy thatcan be used in the kitchen, that does not clutter the kitchen, and thatprovides for fun and interactive learning in a place where a child'scaregiver and the child spend a significant amount of time. It wouldalso be desirable to accomplish these objectives in a cost effectivemanner.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to interactive educational toyapparatuses, and methods of using such interactive educational toyapparatuses.

One embodiment of the invention is directed to an interactiveeducational toy apparatus comprising: (a) an indicium-containingstructure including an indicium and a first attachment element; and (b)a base unit capable of being attached to a vertical surface, wherein thebase unit includes (i) a housing, (ii) a receiving region adapted toreceive the indicium-containing structure, (iii) a processor unit in thehousing, (iv) a speaker coupled to the processor unit, (v) a readercoupled to the processor unit, and (vi) a second attachment elementcoupled to the housing, wherein the indicium-containing structure iscapable of being attached to the base unit using the first attachmentelement and the base unit is capable of being attached to the verticalsurface using the second attachment element.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of using aninteractive educational toy apparatus comprising: (a) attaching a baseunit on a vertical surface, wherein the base unit includes (i) ahousing, (ii) a processor unit in the housing, (iii) a speaker coupledto the processor unit, and (iv) a reader coupled to the processor unit;and (b) attaching the indicium-containing structure including anindicium on the base unit so that the indicium-containing structure isattached to the base unit and the vertical surface.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an interactiveeducational toy apparatus comprising: (a) an indicium-containingstructure including a three-dimensional indicium and a first magnet; and(b) a base unit capable of being attached to a vertical surface, whereinthe base unit includes (i) a housing, (ii) a processor unit in thehousing, (iii) a memory unit coupled to the processor unit, wherein thememory unit comprises code for audio associated with the indicium, (iv)a speaker coupled to the processor unit, (v) a reader coupled to theprocessor unit, and (vi) a second magnet and adapted to attract thevertical surface so that the base unit is attached to the surface.

These and other embodiments of the invention are described in furtherdetail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements.

FIG. 1 shows a base unit and a plurality of indicium-containingstructures on a vertical surface such as a refrigerator door inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a base unit on a vertical surface and anindicium-containing structure on the base unit in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the back of a base unit inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a back of an indicium-containingstructure in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of some electronic components that can beused in embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary circuit diagram in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the invention where eachindicium-containing structure comprises an animal part, and wherein twoindicium-containing structures are on a base unit that is configured asa barn.

FIG. 8 shows depictions of pairs of indicium-containing structures thatcan be used together with a single base unit in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the presentinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. While the present invention will be discussed in conjunctionwith the following embodiments, it will be understood that they are notintended to limit the present invention to these embodiments alone. Onthe contrary, the present invention is intended to cover alternatives,modifications, and equivalents which may be included with the spirit andscope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the presentinvention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the present invention. However, embodiments ofthe present invention may be practiced without these specific details.In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, andcircuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarilyobscure aspects of the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are directed to interactive apparatusesthat include a base unit that is capable of being attached to a verticalsurface such as a refrigerator door. An indicium-containing structureincluding an attachment element can be attached to the base unit so thatthe indicium-containing structure is also vertically oriented when it isused. Preferably, the attachment element in the indicium-containingstructure is a first magnet that attracts another magnet in the baseunit to hold the base unit and the indicium-containing structuretogether while both are on the refrigerator door.

As used herein, “vertically oriented” includes the disposition ofobjects such as the base unit and/or indicium-containing structures on avertical surface such as a refrigerator door. “Attached” includestemporary coupling (e.g., magnetic coupling) in a manner whereby theattached objects do not become easily separated (e.g., by gravity).Coupling can be direct (e.g., as with a base unit to a refrigerator doorwithout an intervening structural element) or indirect (e.g., as with anindicium-containing structure to a refrigerator door via an interveningbase unit).

In one embodiment, the base unit includes a receiving region that canreceive one or more of 26 indicium-containing structures respectivelycontaining the letters of the alphabet. A window formed by a portion ofthe base unit may at least partially define the receiving region. Insome embodiments, each letter of each indicium-containing structure canbe three-dimensional and can be formed with or attached to a tile-likeback structure. Together, the tile-like back structure and thethree-dimensional letter may form an indicium-containing structure thatis received in the window and the receiving region of the base unit. Inpreferred embodiments, the indicium-containing structure includes amagnet that is capable of being magnetically coupled to another magnetin the base unit.

In the example above, each back structure of each indicium-containingstructure includes a unique code that identifies the indicium-containingstructure and corresponding letter (or other indicium) on theindicium-containing structure. In some embodiments, the code is astructural code that is embodied by a structural pattern of protrusionsand depressions at the back of the indicium-containing structure. Areader in the base unit reads the code when the indicium-containingstructure is on the base unit. The reader may comprise an array ofswitches. The structural pattern on the back of the indicium-containingstructure can activate a predetermined number of binary switches in thearray of switches. Once the base unit recognizes whichindicium-containing structure is attached to the base unit, a speaker inthe base unit can sound the letter name and/or phonemes associated withthe letter on the indicium-containing structure. The sounds includingletter names and phonemes may be in the form of a song. U.S. Pat. No.5,188,533 describes letters sounds and phonemes, and is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

In some embodiments, placing an indicium-containing structure on thebase unit triggers speech from the base unit. Alternatively oradditionally, pressing the indicium-containing structure while it is onthe base unit also triggers speech from the base unit. An upwardlybiased depressible switch can be in the receiving region of the baseunit and can be under the indicium-containing structure. Theindicium-containing structure can be depressed like a pressure sensitivebutton when it is on the base unit. There may be a “letter-in button”under the indicium-containing structure, so that the child does not haveto remove the indicium-containing structure and insert it again in orderto trigger speech repeatedly. The area below the receiving region of theindicicium-containing structure can have a 3-position switch (e.g., foroff, low volume, and high volume) and a music/song button which sings anABC song.

As noted above, in some embodiments, the base unit attaches to avertical surface such as a refrigerator surface or magnetic drawingboard (or any magnetically attractable surface) via a magnet in the baseunit. There can alternatively or additionally be wall-hanging-holes(e.g., shaped like a key-hole) in the back of the base unit, so that thebase unit can hang on a wall using nails or hooks. Various otherattachment elements including hook and loop fasteners couldalternatively be used.

The indicium-containing structures may include two or three-dimensionalindicia. A “three-dimensional” indicium includes a z-direction componentthat is discernable by a user's touch (unlike a two-dimensional letterprinted on a piece of paper). The indicia may be of any suitablecharacter or nature. For example, the indicia may include letters,numbers, symbols (e.g., square, circle, etc.), animals, parts ofanimals, vehicles such as trains, geographic entities such as states,insects, etc. Each indicium-containing structure may include anindividual letter, a combination of letters, an image of a part of ananimal, an image of a whole animal, etc. Each of the indicium-containingstructures can have a magnet built into the back structure and can befree of electrical circuits and electronic circuitry. In someembodiments, the letters on the indicium-containing structures are about36 mm tall, and are stored right on the refrigerator when not in use.

In some embodiments, the indicia on the indicium-containing structuresinclude an ordered set of indicia. For example, each indicium-containingstructure can include one letter in an ordered set of letters. There canbe 26 letters of the alphabet associated with 26 indicium-containingstructures. The front surface of each letter can be printed in differentcolors (e.g., red, yellow, blue, or green) to also teach children aboutdifferent colors. It is also possible to add a Braille dot-pattern oneach letter so that a child can learn Braille.

As noted above, when one or more indicium-containing structures are onthe base unit and/or when the one or more indicium-containing structuresare depressed by the user when they are on the base unit, the base unitmay play sounds associated with the indicia on the one or moreindicium-containing structures. The sounds associated with the indiciamay relate to the indicia in any suitable manner. For example, if theindicia are letters, then the sounds of the letter names and phoneticpronunciation(s) of the letters can be produced. These may be in theform of a song in some embodiments. In another example, the indicia maycomprise colors and the sounds of the names of the colors may beproduced. In other embodiments, if the indicia are parts of animals,then the sounds that are produced may be the names of the animals, orthe sounds made by the animals. The sound associated with the indiciummay also be speech (or other sound), which indicates that the user hasselected the correct or incorrect indicium-containing structure (e.g.,“that's correct”). The computer code for these and other sounds may bestored in a memory unit in the base unit.

The interactive apparatus can have various play modes. For example, auser can insert an indicium-containing structure and can press it tohear a phonics song about that letter. Pressing a separate music buttonin the base unit causes the base unit to play a song such as the ABCsong. The interactive apparatus can teach about letters, phonemes, andletter-object correlation. Other play modes are described below.

FIG. 1 shows a base unit 16 including a window 16(a) defining areceiving region for the indicium-containing structure. The window 16(a)is cooperatively structured with each of the indicium-containingstructures 18(a)-18(e). Both the base unit 16 and theindicium-containing structures 18(a)-18(e) are vertically oriented andare attached to refrigerator door surface 100 with internal magnets. Asshown, each indicium-containing structure 18(a)-18(e) and the window16(a) is wider at a bottom portion and narrower at a top portion. Thisconfiguration encourages a child to always put the indicium-containingstructures 18(a)-18(e) into the window 16(a) in the correct orientation.The window 16(a) (and/or receiving region) of the base unit 16 and eachindicium-containing structure 18(a)-18(e) can be configured so that eachis oriented in a single direction. Then, the user cannot place theindicium-containing structure on the base unit in the incorrectorientation.

The base unit 14 also includes a speaker 16(b), a music button 16(c),and an on/off/volume switch 16(d). The indicia on theindicium-containing structures 18(a)-18(e) may be three-dimensionalletters as shown in FIG. 1. Switches 16(e) are in the window 16(a), andare selectively activated by structural codes on the back structures ofthe indicium-containing structures 18(a)-18(e). The switches 16(e) mayform part of a reader that is capable of reading the structural codesand identifying each indicium-containing structure 18(a)-18(e).

The back surface of the receiving region defined by the window 16(a) inthe base unit 16 may be an upwardly biased depressible switch. When anindicium-containing structure is in the window 16(a) and is depressed,the upwardly biased switch is also depressed to cause the base unit 16to produce sound. In the absence of external pressure, no sound isproduced in some embodiments. Accordingly, in one embodiment, anindicium-containing structure in the window 16(a) acts like a buttonthat can be pressed to cause the base unit 16 to produce some audiorelating to the indicium on the indicium-containing structure.

FIG. 2 shows how an indicium-containing structure 18(c) fits into thewindow of the base unit 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the indicium-containingstructure 18(c) includes a three-dimensional letter 18(c)′ integrallyformed with a back structure. The back structure of theindicium-containing structure 18(c) and the window formed in the baseunit 16 are shaped so that the indicium-containing structure 18(c) canbe oriented in a single direction when it is on and attached to the baseunit 16.

When the indicium-containing structure 18(c) with the letter I is placedon the base unit 16, it is attached to the base unit 16 via a magneticcoupling force. The user can press the letter I and the base unit 16 mayplay sounds associated with the letter I “The letter 1, I says ‘eye’ andI says ‘ih’”.

Although a single indicium-containing structure is received in thereceiving region of the base unit in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2,it is understood that the base 15 unit would alternatively accommodatetwo or more indicium-containing structures. There can be one window in abase unit to accommodate two or more indicium-containing structures, orthere may be two or more windows in a base unit that accommodate two ormore indicium-containing structures. Such base units can be used to helpteach children how to spell words, learn phonemes, learn math, learnpattern matching, etc. Examples of other embodiments where multipleindicium-containing structures are used with a single base unit aredescribed below.

FIG. 3 shows a back structure of a base unit 16. The back structureincludes two holes 28 that can receive nails or other structures. Thisallows the base unit 16 to hang from a wall. Alternatively oradditionally, magnets 26 internal to the base unit 16 and closer to theback surface of the base unit 16 can be included so that the base unit16 can hang from a vertical surface such as a refrigerator. Anotherinternal magnet 280 closer to the front surface of the base unit 16 maybe used to attract the indicium-containing structure (not shown in FIG.3) at the opposite side of the base unit 16. A battery cover door 22 forcovering a battery storage compartment is also shown.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a back view of anindicium-containing structure 18(c). It includes an internal magnet 68(or other attachment element) that can magnetically attract to themagnet 28 in the base unit 16 (see FIG. 4( a)). The lower edge of theback structure 18(c)″ includes a pattern of protrusions 18(c)′″ andrecesses 60 that form a structural pattern and code that is specific tothat indicium-containing structure 18(c). The code can be read with areader in the base unit, where the reader includes the switches 16(e) inthe window 16(a) of the base unit 16 (see FIG. 1). The structuralpattern selectively activates a predetermined number of the switches16(e). This allows the base unit 16 to identify the particularindicium-containing structure as well as the indicium on it, so that aprocessor unit in the base unit 16 can select the appropriate audio froma memory unit.

Since magnets (or other attachment elements) are in both theindicium-containing structures 18(a)-18(e) and the base unit 16, theindicium-containing structures 18(a)-18(e) and the base unit 16 can besecurely attached to a vertical surface such as a refrigerator door. Theindicium-containing structures 18(a)-18(e) can be used with or withoutthe base unit 16. For example, the indicium-containing structures18(a)-18(e) can be mixed and matched on the refrigerator door to makewords such as “C-A-T”. The indicium-containing structures 18(a)-18(e)can also be used to hold up pictures, notes, etc. like normalrefrigerator magnets.

Although a reader including a plurality of depressible switches 16(e) isdescribed in detail, other types of readers can be used. The readers mayuse mechanical, electromechanical, optical, or electro-optical means toidentify the indicium-containing structure. For example, the readercould comprise a plurality of optical sensors and theindicium-containing structures can include a pattern of holes that allowa specific pattern of light to pass to the optical sensors.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of some electrical components of a baseunit. FIG. 5 shows a processor unit 42 which may include amicroprocessor and/or a speech synthesizer, and a memory unit 48 coupledthereto. The processor unit 42 and the memory unit 48 may be on the sameor different computer chips. An exemplary processor unit 42 can includea Sunplus SPC251A2 chip. A speaker 44 is coupled to the processor unit42, and an amplifier and other sound producing circuitry (known to thosein the art) may also be included. A 2 inch, 16 ohm, 40 mm, metal frameMylar™ cone-type speaker can be used as a speaker. A switch array 46corresponding to a reader may also be coupled to the processor unit 42.Other switches 50 such as volume switches, on-off switches, musicswitches, etc. may also be coupled to the processor unit 42.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary circuit diagram for an electronicconfiguration that can be used in an embodiment of the invention of thetype shown in FIGS. 1-2. A number of binary codes for the letters A-Zare shown in FIG. 6. It is understood that other embodiments of theinvention could use other circuit configurations and the illustratedcircuit diagram is for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 shows a baseunit 92 in the form of barn, and indicium-containing structures 94(a)and 94(b) in the form of parts of a pig. The parts of the pig may betwo-dimensional or three-dimensional. FIG. 8 shows a set ofindicium-containing structures that includes pairs of parts of animals,wherein the animals include a pig, sheep, cow, duck, and horse. Any ofthe pairs can be put into the base unit 92 shown in FIG. 7. Thedifferent animals may be different colors to teach children aboutcolors. For example, the cow, pig, duck, sheep, and horse, may berespectively colored purple, pink, yellow, blue, and orange. Thisembodiment shows that the base unit and the indicium-containingstructures may correspond to a common theme (e.g., a farm theme).

The base unit 92 and indicium-containing structures 94(a) and 94(b) mayoperate under the same principles as described above. For example, thebase unit 92 and the indicium-containing structures 94(a) and 94(b) mayboth contain magnets to allow them to be attached to a vertical surface.However in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-8, because combinations ofdifferent indicium-containing structures are used on the base unit 92,different play patterns may be presented. For example, the base unit 92can be programmed to provide a reward response if the correct pairs ofanimal parts are placed in the base unit 92. The base unit 92 canprovide different instructional feedback if the wrong animal parts areput together.

The embodiments in FIGS. 7 and 8 show that multiple indicium-containingunits can be used with a single base unit, and that the indiciaassociated with the indicium-containing units can be symbols, parts ofanimals, etc., and are not limited to the letters of the alphabet. Theillustrated embodiment can be a magnetic puzzle toy to introduce animalnames, animal sounds, colors, and textures through silly and creativematching play with a magnetic farmhouse that attaches to therefrigerator or that can be played with on the floor. A child can mix &match 5 different farm animals for up to 25 different combinations. Thispromotes animal names, animal sounds, matching, colors, and fine motorplay.

Referring to FIG. 7, if a child puts the correct indicium-containingstructures containing the correct animal parts on the base unit 92, thenthe child is rewarded with appropriate audio. For example, if the childputs the indicium-containing structures 94(a) and 94(b) including thepig head and pig tail on the base unit 92, then a reward such as “Wow!You made a pretty pink pig!” and a variation of the “Old MacDonald Had AFarm” song could play. The child may also press down on theindicium-containing structures 94(a) and/or 94(b) to receive appropriateaudio. For example, a child can press down on the indicium-containingstructures 94(a) and/or 94(b) and audio such as pig sounds, audiorelating to pig characteristics, audio relating to a pig's head or apig's tail, etc. may sound from the base unit 92.

If the child puts in the wrong combination of indicium-containingstructures, then the base unit 92 could provide the appropriatefeedback. For example, if the child puts an indicium-containingstructure including a cow head and an indicium-containing structureincluding a pig tail on the base unit 92, then some silly audio may beplayed for the child. For example, if the wrong animal parts are puttogether, then audio such as “[t]hat's silly!” may play from base unit92. Pressing down on the incorrect pair of animal parts on theindicium-containing structures may further produce other silly audio(e.g., a giggle) or audio indicating that the incorrect pair ofindicium-containing structures is on the base unit 92.

In the above-described embodiments, audio feedback is provided after theuser has placed one or more indicium-containing structures on the baseunit. However, in other embodiments, the base unit may be preprogrammedto prompt the user to place a correct indicium-containing structure onthe base unit. For example, in a quizzing mode, with reference to theprevious alphabetic letter example, the base unit 16 may be programmedto ask the user to put the letter C into the base unit. If the user putsthe correct indicium-containing structure on the base unit, the baseunit 16 may play a reward audio segment for the user. If the user putsthe wrong indicium-containing structure on the base unit, the base unit16 may be preprogrammed to provide reinforcement audio (“A, you foundthe letter A”) or audio indicating that an incorrect selection has beenmade (“Try again”). With respect to the examples provided in FIGS. 7 and8, the base unit 92 may be preprogrammed to play audio such as “can youmake a cow?” can play to prompt the child to put the pieces of the cowinto the base unit 92. Alternatively, to teach the spelling of threeletter words, the base unit may prompt the user to spell “CAT”. Thechild will then have to attach the correct sequence of letters to thebase unit. Once attached, any of the individual letters may be depressedto receive some audio related to the depressed letter. Alternatively,combinations of letters can be simultaneously depressed to produce audiothat is related to the combination of depressed letters (e.g., pressingC-A-T simultaneously causes the base unit to say “cat”). Thus, in someembodiments, the interactive toy apparatus may include two or moreoperational modes including at least two of a declarative mode, a songmode, a quizzing mode, etc. These modes may be preprogrammed into thememory unit of the base unit using programming processes known by thoseof ordinary skill in the art. A mode selector switch (not shown) may beadded to the base units 16 and/or 92 to allow a user to switch betweendifferent modes.

Other modifications are also possible. For example, external datacartridges containing code for audio for different sets ofindicium-containing structures may also be provided. The external datacartridge (or other information transferable storage medium) may insertinto a recess in the housing of the base unit to provide the base unitwith new and different audio code. For example, an indicium-containingstructure including the numbers 1-10 and a data cartridge with audio forthese indicium-containing structures may be used with the base units ofthe type previously described.

Embodiments of the invention provide a number of advantages. First, theparts of the toy apparatus including the base unit andindicium-containing structures include attachment elements such asmagnets. These features allow a caregiver to place them on arefrigerator. A child can play with the toy apparatus in the kitchen onthe refrigerator door while the caregiver is also in the kitchenperforming normal household tasks such as cooking and cleaning. Second,as noted above, family members often spend most of their time in akitchen. The indicia on the indicium-containing structures arevertically oriented and are prominently displayed to children and familymembers and serve as constant reinforcement mechanism for teachingpredetermined subjects. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the letters ofthe alphabet can be placed on a refrigerator door and the letters of thealphabet are always visible to a child. Third, the base unit and theindicium-containing structures can be used as regular refrigeratormagnet structures. They can be used to hold pictures, notes, etc. on arefrigerator door. Fourth, the indicium-containing structures can beused independently of the base unit while on the refrigerator door. Forexample, as noted above, the indicium-containing structures includingletters can be mixed and matched in suitable combinations on therefrigerator to form words. Fifth, specialized circuit components suchas speech chips need not be incorporated into each indicium-containingstructure. Electronics can be primarily incorporated into the base unit,thus reducing manufacturing costs.

The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used asterms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention inthe use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of thefeatures shown and described, or portions thereof, it being recognizedthat various modifications are possible within the scope of theinvention claimed. Moreover, any one or more features of any embodimentof the invention may be combined with any one or more other features ofany other embodiment of the invention, without departing from the scopeof the invention. For example, any of the features described withreference to FIGS. 7 and 8 can be combined with the features describedwith respect to the other Figures without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

Also, it should be understood that the present invention as describedabove can be implemented in the form of control logic using computersoftware in a modular or integrated manner. Based on the disclosure andteachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art willknow and appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the presentinvention using hardware and a combination of hardware and software.

All references, patent applications, and patents mentioned above areherein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.None of them are admitted to be prior art to the presently claimedinventions.

1. An interactive educational apparatus comprising: a housing; areceptacle disposed on said housing and for receiving a structure,wherein said structure comprises a visual identifier; a processordisposed within said housing and for generating an audio signal; and anaudio output component coupled to said housing and communicativelycoupled to said processor, said audio output component for generatingsound based upon said audio signal output from said processor, whereinsaid sound is associated with said visual identifier.
 2. The interactiveeducational apparatus of claim 1, wherein said visual identifier isselected from a group consisting of a letter, a word, a number, a symboland a picture.
 3. The interactive educational apparatus of claim 1,wherein said processor is operable to implement at least one mode ofoperation for said interactive educational apparatus, and wherein saidprocessor is further operable to generate respective sounds for each ofsaid at least one mode of operation.
 4. The interactive educationalapparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a component coupled to saidprocessor and for determining said visual identifier of said structure,and wherein said processor is operable to generate said sound based uponsaid identified visual identifier.
 5. The interactive educationalapparatus of claim 1, wherein said component comprises an array ofswitches for activation by a plurality of features of said structurewhen said structure is placed on said receptacle.
 6. The interactiveeducational apparatus of claim 1, wherein said receptacle is operable toreceive said structure in a single orientation.
 7. The interactiveeducational apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing further comprisesat least one coupling feature for coupling said interactive educationalapparatus to a surface.
 8. The interactive educational apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein said coupling feature comprises at least one magnet. 9.The interactive educational apparatus of claim 1 further comprising acomponent for sensing movement of said structure with respect to saidhousing.
 10. The interactive educational apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid housing and said structure are associated with a common theme. 11.The interactive educational apparatus of claim 1, wherein said soundcomprises a hint for a user to place said structure in said receptacle.12. The interactive educational apparatus of claim 1, wherein said soundcomprises a quiz associated with said visual identifier of saidstructure.
 13. The interactive educational apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid sound is generated in response to placement of said structure insaid receptacle.
 14. An interactive educational apparatus comprising: ahousing; a receptacle disposed on said housing and for receiving astructure, wherein said structure comprises a visual identifier; aninterface component coupled to said housing and for changing anoperational mode of said interactive educational apparatus; and aprocessor disposed within said housing and for generating an audiosignal; an audio output component coupled to said housing andcommunicatively coupled to said processor, said audio output componentfor generating sound based upon said audio signal output from saidprocessor, said audio output component further for generating said soundbased upon a current operational mode of said interactive educationalapparatus, wherein said sound is associated with said visual identifier.15. The interactive educational apparatus of claim 14, wherein saidvisual identifier is selected from a group consisting of a letter, aword, a number, a symbol and a picture.
 16. The interactive educationalapparatus of claim 14 further comprising: a component coupled to saidprocessor and for determining said visual identifier of said structure,and wherein said processor is operable to generate said sound based uponsaid identified visual identifier.
 17. The interactive educationalapparatus of claim 14, wherein said component comprises an array ofswitches for activation by a plurality of features of said structurewhen said structure is placed on said receptacle.
 18. The interactiveeducational apparatus of claim 14, wherein said receptacle is operableto receive said structure in a single orientation.
 19. The interactiveeducational apparatus of claim 14, wherein said housing furthercomprises at least one coupling feature for coupling said interactiveeducational apparatus to a surface.
 20. The interactive educationalapparatus of claim 19, wherein said coupling feature comprises at leastone magnet.
 21. The interactive educational apparatus of claim 14further comprising a component for sensing movement of said structurewith respect to said housing.
 22. The interactive educational apparatusof claim 14, wherein said housing and said structure are associated witha common theme.
 23. The interactive educational apparatus of claim 14,wherein said sound comprises a hint for a user to place said structurein said receptacle.
 24. The interactive educational apparatus of claim14, wherein said sound comprises a quiz associated with said visualidentifier of said structure.
 25. The interactive educational apparatusof claim 14, wherein said sound is generated in response to placement ofsaid structure in said receptacle.
 26. An interactive educational systemcomprising: a structure comprising a visual identifier; and a base unitcomprising: a housing; a receptacle disposed on said housing and forreceiving said structure; a processor disposed within said housing andfor generating an audio signal; and an audio output component coupled tosaid housing and communicatively coupled to said processor, said audiooutput component for generating sound based upon said audio signaloutput from said processor, wherein said sound is associated with saidvisual identifier.
 27. The interactive educational system of claim 26,wherein said base unit further comprises an interface component coupledto said housing and for changing an operational mode of said interactiveeducational system, and wherein said audio output component is furtherfor generating said sound based upon a current operational mode of saidinteractive educational system.
 28. The interactive educational systemof claim 26, wherein said structure comprises at least one magnet forcoupling a body of said structure to said receptacle.
 29. Theinteractive educational system of claim 26, wherein said visualidentifier is selected from a group consisting of a letter, a word, anumber, a symbol and a picture.
 30. The interactive educational systemof claim 26, wherein said base unit further comprises a componentcoupled to said processor and for determining said visual identifier ofsaid structure, and wherein said processor is operable to generate saidsound based upon said identified visual identifier.
 31. The interactiveeducational system of claim 26, wherein said component comprises anarray of switches for activation by a plurality of features of saidstructure when said structure is placed on said receptacle.
 32. Theinteractive educational system of claim 26, wherein said receptacle isoperable to receive said structure in a single orientation.
 33. Theinteractive educational system of claim 26, wherein said housing furthercomprises at least one coupling feature for coupling said interactiveeducational system to a surface.
 34. The interactive educational systemof claim 33, wherein said coupling feature comprises at least onemagnet.
 35. The interactive educational system of claim 26 furthercomprising a component for sensing movement of said structure withrespect to said housing.
 36. The interactive educational system of claim26, wherein said housing and said structure are associated with a commontheme.
 37. The interactive educational system of claim 26, wherein saidsound comprises a hint for a user to place said structure in saidreceptacle.
 38. The interactive educational system of claim 26, whereinsaid sound comprises a quiz associated with said visual identifier ofsaid structure.
 39. The interactive educational system of claim 26,wherein said sound is generated in response to placement of saidstructure in said receptacle.